I pulled up to an intersection the other day and there was a man on the corner with a bucket, a squeegee, and some rags. He was cleaning windshields, looking for a few bucks. He moved toward my car. I tried to wave him off...I didn't want my windshield cleaned. But there he was, wetting, squeegeeing (is this a word?!), and wiping. He was the most enthusiastic windshield washer I've ever seen. And he did a very good job. So was I now obligated to pay him?
This is what I thought of as I read Jenkins' chapter on the Potter wars, and the murky line of ownership between those who create stories, and those who love them. The fans who consume these original works and then become consumed by them; writing themselves (uninvited) into the fantasies may be enthusiastic, and even very good. But neither their passion nor their talent gives them ownership. Should they be able to engage with the material, and with each other? Of course. And is this good for the publishers/studios? Absolutely! But should the fans be able to alter the stories? Should they be able to politicize them? Create new characters? Reinvent the plot? Hmm. Coming from a publishing perspective, I'd have to stand with the creators. You may be very enthusiastic, and you may do an excellent job, but if the work was unsolicited, you may or may not receive the compensation you hope for.
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